Homework

Key Stage 3 Homework

Following a review of KS3 homework and feedback from parents and carers,the school has taken a completely new approach to homework for those pupils in KS3. A team of staff have developed an improved homework strategy and system that:

provides high quality support materials online for pupils and parents;

gives all pupils the opportunity to achieve at Gold/Silver/Bronze level;

involves tutors more closely in pupils’ academic progress;

underpins success at KS4 across all subjects;

makes absolutely clear what the minimum expectation is for homework.

The new system places emphasis on reading, independence, literacy and numeracy with clear guidelines:

every pupil is expected to complete a literacy project each term, with clear marking criteria and timelines published for parents and pupils;

every pupil is expected to complete sections of the mymaths programme – this will continue to be set and monitored by maths teachers;

department staff may also set other homework when appropriate – e.g. learning MFL vocabulary, preparing for an assessment, or researching information

With regard to the literacy project, each term students will receive one homework project from their tutor (3 per year). For each term’s homework they are required to read a book, and their understanding of the book is tested in the homework tasks. Books are suggested and distributed at the beginning of the term. However, in response to the feedback received through pupil and parent surveys, and from the parents homework forum, students do have a choice of other texts which should be either from the library or supplied by themselves – this must be agreed with their tutor.

In addition, the school will provide each pupil with a high quality hard backed project book at no cost. Pupils are expected to maintain the highest standards of presentation in these books, and they will need to be replaced at a cost of £5 if they are lost or damaged. Ultimately, this is an opportunity for your son/daughter to produce a creative record of their developing literacy skills, and should be maintained with pride.

Each literacy project will now be available in 2 bands – tutors will guide pupils to the appropriate level. The projects over the three year groups are as follows:

Gallery

Students are encouraged to show high levels of creativity and presentation, here are some examples of last year’s work: CLICK HERE

Headteacher’s Award Winners – Spring Term 2017

Photos Here:

HEADTEACHER’S AWARD

LAD

Evie Cridge

LOW

Holly Wilks

SLM

Barleen Garcha

LDK

Ryan Humphrey

BID

Elcie Baker

ASH

Omolade Amos

NSF

Maisie Hunt

CRC

Jonathan Phillips

GDP

Ellie Wade

RJK

Kye Bracken

ALR

Ruby Leach

AMC

Karis Mowbray

CRH

Isabella Reynolds

DCB

Evie Anderson

EAS

Charniqua Narcisso

GEN

Sophie Shelton

JDK

Isobel Garwood

JMW

Kieran Dennett

KHE

Kelly Nguyen

MIJ

Finlay Clipson

BMP

Sumiaya Ali

CAD

Christopher Dale

HJP

Delicia Gill

JAK

Evie Branch

LEG

Ethan Gilsenan

NEM

Mathew Peters

NET

Patrick Atherfold

NLS

Claudia Pietrusinska

PMC

Annabelle Ramsey

SMC

Rebecca Bell-Fisher

DNC

Phoebe Richardson

DTJ

Amelia Reid

MTB

Noah Mitchell

NIH

Ben Brotherton

SHS

Megan McCarthy

GAD

Emily Fernley

CAW

Oliver Levine

AMH

Sophia Hardingham

MJH

Annabel Brewster

STM

You said… We did…

Following extensive feedback relating to KS3 Homework, we have:

You said: There is a lack of choice of texts and some texts were too easy/difficult.

We did: We have now given students a chance to choose an alternative book, either from the library or provided by themselves. This should also be agreed with their tutor.

You said: There is too little guidance with regard to time management and for parents/carers

We did: We have broken each project into potential mini deadlines to help students to plan their time effectively. A parent guide has also been created in order to support parents/carers and students in the projects.

You said: There has been inconsistency in tutor feedback.

We did: We have calendared start dates, due dates, marking periods, and tutor feedback sessions. These will also be published on the website and in the parent guide.

You said: There is a need for displays to make the projects more ‘high profile’.

We did: We have created a newly refurbished ‘Reading Room’ and Homework Club now run by the Student Executive team; updated information on the school website, including a gallery of past projects; further developed parent and pupil forums to encourage feedback on the projects; developed displays on the House Leader TVs in the canteen showing ‘Homework of the Week’.

You said: Clearer rewards were needed to show students potential outcomes.

We did: We have created a clear rewards system including a kindle raffle for all Gold Effort winners, a Headteacher’s certificate and lunch, and a new element of some peer choice in these recommendations, plus other opportunities such as inflatables day.

You said: Some pupils did not read books or see the importance of the projects.

We did: We have included one clear task per project which checks pupils’ understanding of the book they have read. We have also included a skills and SMSC passport to see their skills building across the years.

Contact Us

William Edwards School is operated by South West Essex Community Education Trust which is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales with company number: 07693309. The registered office is at William Edwards School, Stifford Clays Road, Grays, Thurrock, Essex, RM16 3NJ. Registered contact: Peter Melville on melvillep@wes.swecet.org Telephone: 01375 486000 William Edwards school is not responsible for the content of external websites. Please click here to read our Privacy Notice and Cookie Notice Website proudly built by Lemongrass Media School Web Design